Coupled joint of axially aligned elongated members

ABSTRACT

A coupled joint of axially aligned elongated members, which members may be tubular members or solid rods, or may have rectangular transverse cross sections which are solid or hollow, has opposed flanges on the adjacent ends of the elongated members and a plurality of clamping bands or jaw members holding said flanges together in aligned abutting relationship. The opposed flanges may be formed integrally at the adjacent ends of the elongated members or may constitute portions of ferrules secured to the ends of said members. Said opposed flanges have squared end surfaces in abutting relationship with each other, opposed outwardly diverging surfaces and aligned peripheral surfaces. The jaw members have web portions peripherally embracing the flanges and a plurality of opposed pairs of fingers which extend substantially axially under the web portions and exert a viselike grip on the outwardly diverging surfaces of the flanges to maintain the flanges in aligned abutting relationship. Washers may be disposed between said outwardly diverging surfaces and the opposing ends of said fingers. A recess may be provided in each of said flanges to form a chamber of substantially trapezoidal axial section, and a gasket of similar axial section fills said chamber.

United States Patent Bode [451 June 13, 1972 [54] COUPLED JOINT OFAXIALLY ALIGNED ELONGATED MEMBERS [72] Inventor: Richard M. Bode, 7403Fifth Avenue,

Kenosha, Wis. 53140 [22] Filed: Aug. 26, 1970 2]] App], No.: 66,928

[52] US. Cl ..285/365, 285/365, 285/407,

285/408 [51] Int. Cl ..F16] 19/02 [58] Field of Search ..285/364, 365,366, 367, 406,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,059,947 10/1962 Felburg eta1 ..285/410 2,769,648 11/1956 Herman ....285/366 X PrimaryExaminer--David J. Williamowsky Assistant Examiner-Wayne L. SheddAttorney-Marshall A. Burmeister, Francois N. Palmatier and John G.l-lamby 57 ABSTRACT A coupled joint of axially aligned elongatedmembers, which members may be tubular members or solid rods, or may haverectangular transverse cross sections which are solid or hollow, hasopposed flanges on the adjacent ends of the elongated members and aplurality of clamping bands or jaw members holding said flanges togetherin aligned abutting relationship. The opposed flanges may be formedintegrally at the adjacent ends of the elongated members or mayconstitute portions of ferrules secured to the ends of said members.Said opposed flanges have squared end surfaces in abutting relationshipwith each other, opposed outwardly diverging surfaces and alignedperipheral surfaces. The jaw members have web portions peripherallyembracing the flanges and a plurality of opposed pairs of fingers whichextend substantially axially under the web portions and exert avise-like grip on the outwardly' diverging surfaces of the flanges tomaintain the flanges in aligned abutting relationship. Washers may bedisposed between said outwardly diverging surfaces and the opposing endsof said fingers. A recess may be provided in each of said flanges tofonn a chamber of substantially trapezoidal axial 1 section, and agasket of similar axial section fills said chamber.

16 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN131972 3669.474 I sum 10? Q ygl' 30. 4 Z0 M MM 49: )/M i W PATENTEDJUH 13 I972 sum 2 or 3 ICC/B (123COUPLED JOINT OF AXIALLY ALIGNED ELONGA'I'ED MEMBERS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to a coupled joint or axially alignedelongated members, which may be tubular members or solid rods, or mayhave rectangular transverse cross sections which are solid or hollow,and, more particularly, to such a joint wherein opposed flanges areprovided on the adjacent ends of said elongated members and clampingmeans are provided to close the joint and maintain said flanges inaligned abutting relationship.

Coupled joints of axially aligned elongated members are required in manyfields, such as, for example, in the plumbing art in which pipes made ofvarious materials and of different sizes and strengths are employed, inlaboratories where various glass or plastic conduits are employed, inthe building construction art wherein pipe scaffolding is erected, andin food processing plants in which food products are conveyed throughelongated conduits.

In all fields where such coupled joints are required, it is desirablethat such joints be originally made as efficiently as possible; and ininstallations in which it is sometimes necessary to disassemble andreassemble such joints, it is highly desirable that this also beaccomplished as economically as possible, and that the joints be asaccessible as possible. In food processing plants it is necessary thatsuch joints be formed so as to avoid any collection of foreign matteraround the joints and any contamination of the food products beingconveyed through the joined conduits. And in certain otherinstallations, such as government inspected distilleries, for example,it is also necessary that means be provided for readily detectingwhether or not the coupled joint has remained intact or sealed since thelast inspection.

Most such prior art coupled joints, such as those including threadedunions and the like in the plumbing field, are relatively expensive inthat the joint components are necessarily larger and are not consideredexpendable should the joint be remade, and the use of such componentsresults in a joint which occupies a relatively greater space and isrelatively inaccessible when disassembly and reassembly thereof arenecessary. Furthermore, the use of threaded unions in an extended pipeassembly is disadvantages in that the assembly cannot be economicallyentered at any point in the line to repair or replace a damaged pipesection.

Some prior art coupled joints of aligned elongated members have employedclamping bands which might be considered expendable. Such prior artjoints are shown, for example, in US. Pat. Nos. 2,424,436, Crater;2,548,216, I-Ioughton et al.; 2,628,851 .lessup; and 3,099,060, Smith.

Those coupled joints, however, have not effectively solved the problem.They require that additional components to be used in conjunctiontherewith, and the manner of employing such additional componentsresults in the joints being relatively more expensive to assemble,disassemble and reassemble; and the overall space occupied by the jointis relatively large. Furthermore, the non-uniformity of the periphery ofsuch joints renders them more susceptible to contamination, and lesssuitable to the application of tapes therearound to preventcontamination.

It is an object of this invention therefore to provide a coupled jointof the nature indicated which is simple and economical in form, easy toassemble, disassemble and reassemble and suitably adaptable to manydifferent circumstances and uses.

Other objectives and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In carrying out the invention in one fOl'ITl,there is provided a coupled joint of adjacent ends of a pair of axiallyaligned elongated substantially cylindrical members, comprising opposedflanges on said cylindrical members at said ends thereof, said opposedflanges having squared end surfaces in abutting relationship with eachother, opposed outwardly diverging frusto-conical surfaces and alignedcylindrical surfaces, and a plurality of clamping bands or jaw membersengaging said flanges, said jaw members including arcuate web portionscircumferentially embracing said cylindrical surfaces of said flangesand a plurality of fingers arranged in axially opposed pairs, with thetwo fingers of each pair being bent toward each other under said webportion, the end portions of each said pair of fingers extendingsubstantially axially and exerting a vise-like grip on saidfrusto-conical surfaces whereby said flanges are maintained in alignedabutting relationship.

Said axially aligned cylindrical members may be tubular members or solidrods, and the opposed flanges thereon may be integrally formed therewithor portions of ferrules secured to the adjacent ends thereof.

In the embodiment of the invention wherein tubular members are employed,an annular recess is provided in each of said flanges radially inwardlyof said squared end surface thereof, said recesses being aligned andhaving radially inwardly converging side walls to form an annularchamber of substantially trapezoidal axial section, and an annulargasket having a similar axial section substantially fills said chamber.

In another embodiment of the invention, washers are disposed betweeneach of said frusto-conical surfaces and the opposing end of saidfingers, one of said washers being substantially yieldable incompression and abutting against the respective frusto-conical surface,and the other of said washers being relatively unyieldable incompression and disposed between said one of said washers and theopposing ends of said fingers.

In a still further embodiment of the invention the axially alignedelongated members have rectangular transverse cross sections, and may beeither solid bars or hollow to provide rectangular passagewaystherethrough. Opposed rectangular flanges provided at the ends of theelongated members may be formed integrally therewith or separatelyattached thereto. Said opposed flanges have outwardly divergingtrapezoidal surfaces and rectangular planar aligned peripheral surfaces.The web portions of the jaw members have rectangular planar surfaces. Ifthe elongated members having aligned passageways therethrough, arectangular recess is provided in each of the opposed flanges, saidrecesses being aligned and having inwardly converging side walls to forma rectangular chamber of substantially trapezoidal axial section, and arectangular gasket having a similar axial section substantially fillssaid chamber. Washers may also be disposed between each of the outwardlydiverging trapezoidal surfaces of the opposed flanges and the opposingends of the fingers of the jaw members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing thecomponent parts of one form of coupled joint embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an axial view, partially broken away and partially in section,of a completely assembled joint including the components illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows 3-3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4-is an axial view of the embodiment of the invention illustratedin FIG. 2, and shows one component partially removed when disassemblingthe joint;

FIG. 5 is a diametrical view taken in the direction of the arrows 5-5 ofFIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is an axial view, partially broken away and partially in section,of an assembled joint according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial axial sectional view illustrating still anotherembodiment of the invention; a I

FIG. 8 is an axial view, partially broken away and partially in section,illustrating further embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 is an axial view, partially in section, showing still anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. is a partial axial section showing certain components of theinvention at an intermediate stage in forming the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view showing the component parts of still anotherform of coupled joint embodying the invention;

FIG. 12 is an axial view, partially broken away and partially insection, of a completely assembled joint including the componentsillustrated in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows 13-13ofFIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1 of thedrawings, the several components of a coupled joint according to oneembodiment of the invention include an axially aligned opposed pair ofpipe ends 20, an opposed pair of hard metal ferrules 22 having radiallyextending flanges 24 with annular recesses 26 therein, an annular gasket28, and a pair of clamping bands or jaw members 30.

In the assembled joint as seen in FIG. 2, the opposed ferrules 22 havebeen rolled onto the respective pipe ends 20. The flanges 24 of theferrules 22 each have a radially inwardly extending portion 32 includingan annular surface or backup shoulder 34. Annular grooves 36 areprovided in the axial portion 37 of each ferrule 22. By reason of thegrooves 36 and backup shoulders 34, the ferrules 22 may be rolled ontothe pipe ends 20 so as to avoid having to face the pipe ends. For usesin which any hairline voids between the rolled on pipe and the backupshoulder might be objectionable, these voids may be filled with dope ofthe type available under the trademark Teflon, for example.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the opposed flanges 24 have annular squaredend or leading surfaces 38 in abutting relationship with each other,opposed outwardly diverging frusto-conical or trailing surfaces 40 andaligned cylindrical peripheral surfaces 42. A degree of taper of saidfrusto-conical surfaces as little as 10 to percent has been found toproduce satisfactory results.

The annular recesses 26 in the flanges 24 are aligned with each otherand have radially inwardly converging side walls 44 to form an annulargasket-receiving chamber of substantially trapezoidal axial section(FIG. 2). The degree of taper of said sidewalls is preferably, but notnecessarily, substantially the same as that of said frusto-conicalsurfaces 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, the annular gasket 28, of similar trapezoidal axialsection, substantially fills said annular gasketreceiving chamber in thefully assembled joint. Gaskets available under such trademarks asTeflon, Hycar, Silicone, Viton, and brewery rubber have been found to bevery satisfactory and lend themselves to low cost machining or dieforming. The wedge-like gasket has also been found to be particularlywell suited for use where the coupled pipe joint is employed forhigh-pressure or vacuum service. The gasket, which in the completedjoint is somewhat compressed from its similar original shape, also aidsin providing a flush metal-to-metal abutment and alignment of the endfaces 38 of the flanges 42 and provides a pressure seal substantiallyfree of cracks, crevices and pockets.

As seen best in FIG. 1, the jaw members 30 have arcuate web portions 46and have been kerfed to provide a plurality of opposed pairs of fingers48. Prior to completion of the joint, the opposed fingers of each pairare bent radially inwardly and toward each other at angles ofapproximately 45 from the web portion 46, and the tips of each pair offingers are axially spaced apart a distance d (see FIG. 10) which isonly slightly less than the combined axial width of the alignedcylindrical surfaces 42 of the ferrules 22.

The jaw members are preferably made of stainless steel or other hardmetal having a relatively high tensile strength. Their thickness issomewhat less than the radial height h (FIG. 10) of the frusto-conicalsurface 40 of the ferrules 22. The jaw members also have sufficientresiliency to permit each pair of opposed fingers thereof to be manuallysnapped over the aligned cylindrical surfaces 42 to take the positionshown in FIG. 10 as the assembly of the completed joint progresses. Inthis position, the tips of the fingers 48 will be in contact with theprincipal outer cylindrical surfaces 50 of the ferrules 22, and the webportion 46 of the jaw member will be spaced a slight radial distancefrom the cylindrical surfaces 42.

In a similar manner the other jaw member of said pair of jaw members 30may be manually snapped over the aligned cylindrical surfaces 42. Afterboth jaw members have been snapped onto the ferrules, one or both of thejaw members should preferably be rotated around the joint so that in thecompleted joint the jaw members will be substantially diametricallyopposed.

As seen best in FIG. 3, each of the jaw members 30, including theoutwardly bent end tabs 52 provided thereon, has an over-all arcuatelength of slightly less than 180, whereby a pair of jaw members willsubstantially surround the aligned cylindrical surfaces 42 of theferrules with only relatively short peripheral spaces 54 between the endtabs 52 of one jaw member and the adjacent end of the other jaw member.While only two jaw members are shown, it will be understood that threeor more jaw members of equal but shorter arcuate lengths may besimilarly employed and symetrically positioned.

After all the jaw members have been manually snapped on and properlypositioned on the ferrules 22, completion of the joint may beaccomplished either manually or with the aid of spacial power-operatedtools. In either method of completing the joint, a circumferentialdie-type tool (not shown) is employed to apply diametrically opposedradial forces to squeeze the web portions 46 of the jaw members 30 intocircumferential engagement with the cylindrical surfaces 42 of theferrules. This squeezing action simultaneously causes the opposed pairsof fingers 48 to be cammed axially toward each other by reason of theircontact with the cylindrical surfaces 50 of the ferrules. The samesqueezing action bends the end tabs 52 of the fingers into similarcircumferential engagement with the surfaces 42.

When the squeezing action is completed, the jaw members are in theposition and shaped as shown in FIG. 2. In this completed jointposition, the fingers 48 of each opposed pair of fingers aresubstantially bent towardeach other under the web portions 46 of the jawmembers 30 and the end portions 56 of each pair of fingers extendsubstantially axially and exert a vise-like grip on the frusto-conicalsurfaces 40 of the flanges 42 of the ferrules and hold the flanges inaligned abutting relationship. In the completed joint, the end portions56 of the fingers may actually ride slightly outwardly on the surfaces40 to leave small annular. spaces 57 between the fingers and the axialportions 37 of the ferrules. The frusto-conical surfaces 40 serve aslocking shoulders for the opposed pairs of fingers 48 and thus preventthe jaw members from becoming disengaged in normal use of the coupledjoint and render the joint highly resistant to shock, vibration and highstatic pressures in the joined pipe ends.

While a fully satisfactory coupled joint may be finally completed byutilizing a circumferential die-type tool and applying only manual forcethereto, such joints may be more easily completed .by using such a toolwhich is power operated and actuated, for example, by compressed air oran explosive charge. The use of such special power tools may bedesirable if t the tightest possible coupled joint is required. In oneapplication, in which a coupled joint as hereinbefore described was usedto connect adjacent ends of a V2 inch diameter steel pipe, it was foundthat the coupled joint remained properly aligned and sealed, andwithstood a static pressure as high as 4,000

p.s.r.

Because the completed joint is circumferentlally uniform, i.e., nocomponents of the joint extend outwardly of the jaw members, the jointmay be readily wrapped with tape (not shown), having a high temperatureresistance if desired, to make the joint as sanitary as possible.

Although the coupled joint above described is highly resistant tobreakage and misalignment in normal use, the joint may be readilydisassembled when desired, such as, for examle, when it may be necessaryto replace a broken or leaking pipe, or to relocate pipe sections. Insuch instances, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the coupled joint may bequickly disconnected by inserting a pry (not shown) such as ascrewdriver, tangentially under the end tab 52 of each jaw member 30,and prying the jaw member out of engagement with the flanges 24. Thisprying action forces the ends of each opposed pair of fingers 48 furtherapart to permit them to clear the frusto-conical surfaces 40. After someof the opposed pairs of fingers 48 have cleared the surfaces 40, a pairof pliers may be employed to grip the end tab 52 and rip the jaw member30 completely off of the flanges 24.

While the disassembling operation deforms the jaw members to such anextent that they cannot be again used, the jaw members are relativelyinexpensive and considered expendable. The destruction of the expendablejaw members actually proves to be an advantage in certain uses in thatthe jaw members themselves can serve as seals" in installations such asgovernment inspected distilleries where it is necessary to determinewhether or not a joint has been tampered with since the last inspection.

The remaining components of the coupled joint, however, are in no waydamaged during disassembly of the joint and may be repeatedly reused toreassemble the joint with new interchangeable jaw members. It has beenfound, for example, that the joint components other than the jaw memberscan be reassembled over 100 times without limiting the efiectiveness ofthe joint. It will be also readily noted that the coupled joint of thisinvention offers a further distinct advantages over joints employingthreaded unions, in that when it is necessary to replace a damaged pipesection one need only open the line by removing the jaw members of twojoints most proximate to the ends of the section to be replaced. Withjoints employing threaded unions, it is frequently necessary todisassemble and reassemble additional and undamaged sections in order toreplace the damaged section. Furthermore, by avoiding the use ofthreaded unions, thin-walled tubing may be employed and the pipesections to be joined are more easily lined up.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invention which is particularlysuitable when employing ferrules formed of a soft metal, such as copperfor example, or a plastic material. In this embodiment the opposedferrules 58 may be fillet-welded as shown or otherwise fused to theadjacent pipe ends 60. Because of the relative softness of the ferrulematerial, it is preferable to insert a pair of annular washers 62between the ends of the fingers 64 and the frusto-conical surfaces 66 ofthe ferrules. The washers prevent the ends of the fingers from gougingthe frusto-conical surfaces 66 as the jaw members 68 are radiallysqueezed to form the completed joint, and further serve to moreuniformly distribute the axial forces exerted by the fingers during thesqueezing operation.

Although the washers 62 may not be frusto-conical in shape in theiroriginal form, they tend to assume such shape as a result of theaforesaid squeezing action. In any event, the washers provide afrusto-conical surface 70 against which the end portions of each opposedpair of fingers 64 exert a viselike grip to maintain the squared endsurfaces 72 of the flanges 74 in aligned abutting relationship, aspreviously described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 2. In allother respects the coupled joints shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 aresubstantially identical, except that the axial widths of the webportions 76 of the jaw members 68 are sufiiciently greater toaccommodate the interposed washers.

FIG. 7 shows a coupled joint which differs from the embodimentspreviously described in that the axially aligned cylindrical members 78are made of glass and the opposed glass flanges 80 are formed integrallywith the cylindrical members. Because of the fragility of the glassmaterial, two washers are preferably interposed between each of thefrusto-conical surfaces 82 of the flanges 80 and the opposing ends ofthe fingers 84 of the jaw members 86. One opposed pair of washers 88,which may be made of rubber, is substantially yieldable in compression,and each washer of said pair abuts against the respective frusto-conicalsurface 82. The other opposed pair of washers 90, which may be made ofsteel or other hard metal, is relatively unyieldable in compression, andeach washer of said pair is disposed between the respective washer 88and the respective ends of the opposed fingers 84.

The coupled joint of FIG. 7 may be formed in the same manner as thepreviously described embodiments, except that a substantially lesseraxial force should be applied to the jaw members 86 during the squeezingoperation. Also, the width of the web portion 92 of each jaw member 86must be great enough to accommodate the two interposed pairs of washers.

FIG. 8 shows still another form of coupled joint in which one side ofthe joint comprises a ferrule 94 butt-welded to the end of a pipesection 96 and the other side comprises a flanged tubular member 98which is reduced in diameter near the flanged end thereof to provide acylindrical surface 100 of the same diameter as that of the principalcylindrical surface 102 of the ferrule 94. This embodiment isparticularly suitable for joining pipe sections having identical insidediameters but differing outside diameters. The member 98 may alsorepresent one leg of an elbow, T-section, nipple or other well-knownpipe fitting, which may have relatively thick walls. The ferrule 94 andthe reduced-diameter portion 100 of the member 98 are provided withopposed radially outwardly extending flanges 104 and 106, respectively.In all other respects the coupled joint of FIG. 8 and the manner offorming the same are the same as described with respect to the coupledjoint of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 shows yet another form of coupled joint in which the I axiallyaligned cylindrical members are solid rods 108. In this embodiment apair of opposed ferrules 1 10 having radially extending portions 112 maybe welded to the rods 108 at the ends thereof. The squared end surfaces114 of the flange portions 112 are secured in abutting relationship inthe completed joint in the same manner as previously described, exceptthat no gasket-receiving chamber or gasket is necessary. Preferably, thesquared end surfaces 114 are axially aligned with the abutting endsurfaces 116 of the rods 108, but a alight axial misalignment may betolerated, and the surfaces 116 are not necessarily faced to providesmooth abutting surfaces and may even be slightly spaced axially. In allother respects the coupled joint of this embodiment is identical to theembodiment of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 11-13 of the drawings, several components of acoupled joint according to a still further embodiment of the inventioninclude an axially aligned opposed pair of elongated bars 116 havingopposed rectangular flanges 118 at the ends thereof and axially alignedpassageways 120 therethrough, aligned recesses 122 provided in saidflanges, a rectangular gasket 124, and a plurality of clamping bands orjaw members 126.

It should be understood that in this embodiment the elongated bars 116may be solid, as in the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, inwhich event the recesses 122 and gasket 124 may be eliminated.Furthermore, while FIGS. 11-13 show the flanges 118 formed integrallywith the bars 116, it should be understood that the flanges 118 may beportions of separate ferrule-like members which may be secured to theends of the bars 116, such as by rolling them onto the bars or bywelding, as in the case of the earlier described embodiments.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, the elongated bars 116have rectangular or square .transverse cross sections and thepassageways 120 therethrough have rectangular or square transverse crosssections. The flanges 118 also have rectangular or square transversecross sections, rectangular planar peripheral surfaces 128 and outwardlydiverging trapezoidal surfaces 130.

The jaw members 126 differ from the jaw members of the earlier describedembodiments only in that the web portions 132 thereof are rectangularand planar rather than arcuate, whereby when the joint of thisembodiment is completed, the web portions 132 embrace the alignedperipheral surfaces 128 of the flanges 118. The jaw members 126 are alsoprovided with opposed pairs of inwardly converging fingers 134 and endtabs 136 which serve the same purpose as the corresponding opposedfingers and end tabs of the earlier described embodimerits.

In this embodiment, the aligned rectangular recesses 122 in the flanges118 are provided with opposed pairs of inwardly converging trapezoidalside walls 138 to form a gasket-receiving chamber of substantiallytrapezoidal axial section. The rectangular gasket 124 is provided withopposed pairs of side walls 140 which are inwardly converging andtrapezoidal in shape whereby the gasket has an axial section similar tothat of the gasket-receiving chamber in which it is snugly received andretained in the completed joint.

In the completed joint, as shown in FIG. 12, as in the earlier describedembodiments, the end portions of the fingers 134 of the jaw members 132extend substantially axially and exert a vise-like grip on the outwardlydiverging trapezoidal surfaces 130 of the flanges 118 whereby saidflanges are maintained in aligned abutting relationship. The manner ofassembling and disassembling the joint is similar to that of the earlierdescribed embodiments, except that differently shaped dietools willnecessarily be employed to complete the joint after the jaw members areinitially snapped onto the flanges l 18.

While not shown in FIGS. 11-13, it should be understood that if theelongated bars 116 or the flanges thereof are fonned of a frangiblematerial such as glass, two washers, as in the case of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 7, may be disposed between the trapezoidal surfaces130 of the flanges 132 and the opposing ends of the fingers 134 of thejaw members 126, one of said washers being substantially yieldable incompression and abutting against the respective trapazoidal surfaces 130and the other of said washers relatively unyieldable in compression anddisposed between the first of said washers and the opposing ends of thefingers. Said washers, of course, should be generally rectangular inshape so as to conform to the rectangular shape of the flanges 118.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it willbe understood, of course, that the invention is not limited theretosince many modifications may be made, and it is, therefore, contemplatedto cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scopeof the invention.

The invention having thus been described, what is claimed and desired tobe secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A coupler for connecting one end of a first elongated member to oneend of a second elongated member comprising, in combination, a firstmeans carried by the first of said elongated members defining a firstflange extending outwardly from the axis of the first elongated member,said first flange having a leading surface confronting the one end ofthe second elongated member and a trailing surface on the side of thefirst flange opposite the leading surface, the trailing surface of thefirst flange being at an angle to the axis of elongation of the firstmember less than a right angle, means carried by the second of saidelongated members defining a second flange extending outwardly from theaxis of the second elongated member, said second flange having a leadingsurface abutting the leading surface of the first flange and a trailingsurface, the trailing surface of the second flange being at an angle tothe axis of elongation of the second member less than a right angle, ajaw member engaging the first and the second flanges, said jaw memberhaving a web disposed adjacent to the first and second flanges with acentral axis generally aligned with the abutting leading surfaces of thefirst and second flanges and a plurality of fingers extending from theweb on opposite sides of the central axis thereof, the fingers on oneside of the central axis of the web having a first bend extending underthe web and said fingers extending generally normal to and abutting thetrailing surface of the first flange, and the fingers on the oppositeside of the central axis of the web having a second bend extending underthe web and said fingers extending generally normal to and abutting thetrailing surface of the second flange, whereby the fingers of the jawmember retain the jaw member on the flanges and maintain the leadingsurfaces of the first and second flanges in abutment.

2. The invention according to claim 1 in which said axially alignedelongated members are substantially cylindrical members, said outwardlydiverging surfaces of said flanges are frusto-conical surfaces, and saidweb portions of said jaw members are arcuate web portions.

3. The invention according to claim 2 in which said substantiallycylindrical members are tubular members.

4. The invention according to claim 2 in which said opposed flanges onsaid axially aligned substantially cylindrical members are portions offen'ules secured to the ends of said members.

5. The invention according to claim 3 in which an annular recess isprovided in each of said flanges radially inwardly of said squared endsurface thereof, said recesses being aligned to form an annular chamber,and an annular gasket substantially fills said chamber.

6. The invention according to claim 3 in which an annular recess isprovided in each of said flanges radially inwardly of said squared endsurface thereof, said recesses being aligned and having radiallyinwardly converging side walls, to form an annular chamber ofsubstantially trapezoidal axial section, and an annular gasket having asimilar axial section substantially fills said chamber.

7. The invention according to claim 5 in which said opposed flanges onsaid tubular members are portions of ferrules secured to the ends ofsaid members.

8. The invention according to claim 2 in which two washers are disposedbetween each of said frusto-conical surfaces and the opposing ends ofsaid fingers, one of said washers being substantially yieldable incompression and abutting against the respective frusto-conical surface,and the other of said washers being relatively unyieldable incompression and disposed between said one of said washers and theopposing ends of said fingers.

9. The invention according to claim 1 in which said axially alignedelongated members and said opposed flanges have rectangular transversecross-sections, said outwardly diverging surfaces of said flanges aretrapezoidal surfaces, and said web portions of said jaw members aresubstantially rectangular web portions.

10. The invention according to claim 9 in which said transversecross-sections are substantially square and said elongated members haveaxially aligned passageways therethrough, said passageways havingsubstantially square transverse cross-sections.

11. The invention according to claim 9 in which said opposed flanges onsaid axially aligned elongated members are portions of ferrules securedto the ends of said members.

12. The invention according to claim 10 in which a recess is provided ineach of said flanges inwardly of said squared end surface thereof, saidrecesses having substantially square transverse cross-sections and beingaligned to form a chamber having a substantially square transversecross-section, and a gasket having a substantially square transversecross-section substantially fills said chamber.

13. The invention according to claim 12 in which said aligned recesseshave opposed pairs of inwardly converging trapezoidal side walls to forma gasket receiving chamber of substantially trapezoidal axial section,and a gasket having a similar axial section substantially fills saidchamber.

14. The invention according to claim 12 in which said opposed flanges onsaid elongated members are portions of ferrules secured to the ends ofsaid members.

15. The invention according to claim 11 in which two washers aredisposed between each of said trailing surfaces and the opposing ends ofsaid fingers, one of said washers being substantially yieldable incompression and abutting against the respective trailing surface, andthe other of said ing the first flange defines a surface parallel to theaxis of elongation of the first member and the first flange extendsoutwardly from said surface, and the first bend of the fingers of thejaw member abuts said surface.

1. A coupler for connecting one end of a first elongated member to oneend of a second elongated member comprising, in combination, a firstmeans carried by the first of said elongated members defining a firstflange extending outwardly from the axis of the first elongated member,said first flange having a leading surface confronting the one end ofthe second elongated member and a trailing surface on the side of thefirst flange opposite the leading surface, the trailing surface of thefirst flange being at an angle to the axis of elongation of the firstmember less than a right angle, means carried by the second of saidelongated members defining a second flange extending outwardly from theaxis of the second elongated member, said second flange having a leadingsurface abutting the leading surface of the first flange and a trailingsurface, the trailing surface of the second flange being at an angle tothe axis of elongation of the second member less than a right angle, ajaw member engaging the first and the second flanges, said jaw memberhaving a web disposed adjacent to the first and second flanges with acentral axis generally aligned with the abutting leading surfaces of thefirst and second flanges and a plurality of fingers extending from theweb on opposite sides of the central axis thereof, the fingers on oneside of the central axis of the web having a first bend extending underthe web and said fingers extending generally normal to and abutting thetrailing surface of the first flange, and the fingers on the oppositeside of the central axis of the web having a second bend extending underthe web and said fingers extending generally normal to and abutting thetrailing surface of the second flange, whereby the fingers of the jawmember retain the jaw member on the flanges and maintain the leadingsurfaces of the first and second flanges in abutment.
 2. The inventionaccording to claim 1 in which said axially aligned elongated members aresubstantially cylindrical members, said outwardly diverging surfaces ofsaid flanges are frusto-conical surfaces, and said web portions of saidjaw members are arcuate web portions.
 3. The invention according toclaim 2 in which said substantially cylindrical members are tubularmembers.
 4. The invention according to claim 2 in which said opposedflanges on said axially aligned substantially cylindrical members areportions of ferrules secured to the ends of said members.
 5. Theinvention according to clAim 3 in which an annular recess is provided ineach of said flanges radially inwardly of said squared end surfacethereof, said recesses being aligned to form an annular chamber, and anannular gasket substantially fills said chamber.
 6. The inventionaccording to claim 3 in which an annular recess is provided in each ofsaid flanges radially inwardly of said squared end surface thereof, saidrecesses being aligned and having radially inwardly converging sidewalls, to form an annular chamber of substantially trapezoidal axialsection, and an annular gasket having a similar axial sectionsubstantially fills said chamber.
 7. The invention according to claim 5in which said opposed flanges on said tubular members are portions offerrules secured to the ends of said members.
 8. The invention accordingto claim 2 in which two washers are disposed between each of saidfrusto-conical surfaces and the opposing ends of said fingers, one ofsaid washers being substantially yieldable in compression and abuttingagainst the respective frusto-conical surface, and the other of saidwashers being relatively unyieldable in compression and disposed betweensaid one of said washers and the opposing ends of said fingers.
 9. Theinvention according to claim 1 in which said axially aligned elongatedmembers and said opposed flanges have rectangular transversecross-sections, said outwardly diverging surfaces of said flanges aretrapezoidal surfaces, and said web portions of said jaw members aresubstantially rectangular web portions.
 10. The invention according toclaim 9 in which said transverse cross-sections are substantially squareand said elongated members have axially aligned passagewaystherethrough, said passageways having substantially square transversecross-sections.
 11. The invention according to claim 9 in which saidopposed flanges on said axially aligned elongated members are portionsof ferrules secured to the ends of said members.
 12. The inventionaccording to claim 10 in which a recess is provided in each of saidflanges inwardly of said squared end surface thereof, said recesseshaving substantially square transverse cross-sections and being alignedto form a chamber having a substantially square transversecross-section, and a gasket having a substantially square transversecross-section substantially fills said chamber.
 13. The inventionaccording to claim 12 in which said aligned recesses have opposed pairsof inwardly converging trapezoidal side walls to form a gasket receivingchamber of substantially trapezoidal axial section, and a gasket havinga similar axial section substantially fills said chamber.
 14. Theinvention according to claim 12 in which said opposed flanges on saidelongated members are portions of ferrules secured to the ends of saidmembers.
 15. The invention according to claim 11 in which two washersare disposed between each of said trailing surfaces and the opposingends of said fingers, one of said washers being substantially yieldablein compression and abutting against the respective trailing surface, andthe other of said washers being relatively unyieldable in compressionand disposed between said one of said washers and the opposing ends ofsaid fingers.
 16. A coupler for connecting one end of a firstcylindrical member to one end of a second cylindrical member comprisingthe combination of Claim 1 wherein the first means defining the firstflange defines a surface parallel to the axis of elongation of the firstmember and the first flange extends outwardly from said surface, and thefirst bend of the fingers of the jaw member abuts said surface.